Don Quijote, Spanish schools in Salamanca and Tenerife
Don Quijote has taught Spanish to adults since 1989, first in Salamanca, then throughout Spain and Latin America. Here is who they are, how they teach, what sets them apart, and the two centres we offer.
Who is Don Quijote?
Don Quijote — written “don Quijote” on its official website — was founded in 1986 as a language travel agency representing Spanish schools worldwide. In 1989, faced with demand, the group opened its first school in Salamanca. It now counts 32 centres in 12 countries of Spain and Latin America, and announces more than a million students welcomed since its beginnings.
Don Quijote is part of Ideal Education Group, which presents itself as the world’s leading Spanish-language language travel group.
We offer two of its centres: Salamanca, the university city where it all began, and Tenerife, in Puerto de la Cruz.
How they teach
The method follows the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and rests on a communicative and humanistic approach: the student is an actor in their own progress, not a mere recipient of knowledge. Real-life situations serve as support, and grammar and vocabulary are taught as tools for communicating.
All teachers are native Spanish speakers, holding at least a degree in foreign languages, Spanish literature or humanities; many also have a master’s in teaching Spanish as a foreign language, and undergo continuing training.
A test designed by the school places each student on the six-level scale, from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery), built on the Instituto Cervantes curriculum plan. In our catalogue, classes average 9 students in Salamanca (10 at most) and 7 in Tenerife (8 at most).
What sets Don Quijote apart
- Instituto Cervantes accreditation. According to the official website, the Salamanca and Tenerife schools have obtained it; each school goes through this check again every three years. The Tenerife school is also a member of FEDELE, the Spanish federation of Spanish schools for foreigners.
- Preparation for official exams. DELE, SIELE, CCSE and, with the Madrid Chamber of Commerce, the business Spanish exams (COCM). All the group’s centres are accredited by the Madrid Chamber of Commerce for these preparations.
- Written guarantees. The official website promises in particular a change of host family at no charge if the family is not suitable, no more than three non-Spanish-speaking students in the same family, and a journey of at most 30 minutes between the accommodation and the school.
Its programmes, and who they are for
Intensive Spanish (20, 25, 30 or 35 lessons per week), combined courses with private lessons, private and semi-private courses, DELE, SIELE, CCSE and COCM exam preparation, and a “Spanish for people aged 50 and over” programme with daily cultural activities and a day excursion.
In our catalogue, courses can be booked from age 18 (from age 50 for the 50+ programme), from beginner to advanced level. Flexible-entry courses start every Monday; the DELE exam preparations and the 50+ programme follow fixed-date sessions.
Prices, school by school
2027 rates from the Synergee price engine, for the standard intensive Spanish course (20 lessons per week), starting on January 4, 2027. For each centre, the “from” price is the lowest per week among the durations priced by the engine; the detail for all durations is in the expandable table below. The exact quote depends on your dates, your duration and your accommodation.
- Salamanca, Spain : from 195 EUR per week (12-week course, excluding fees and accommodation)
- Tenerife, Spain : from 220 EUR per week (12-week course, excluding fees and accommodation)
See all 2027 prices
| Centre | Reference course | Lessons / wk | 2 weeks | 4 weeks | 12 weeks | Registration fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salamanca, Spain | Intensive Spanish 20 - Salamanca | 20 | 450 EUR | 900 EUR | 2,340 EUR | — |
| Tenerife, Spain | Intensive Spanish 20 - Tenerife | 20 | 500 EUR | 1,000 EUR | 2,640 EUR | — |
Course price only, excluding accommodation. Each country uses its own currency.
Accommodation
Depending on the centre: homestay, residence or apartment. Price of the engine’s reference homestay (single room), per week, for a 4-week stay; the “Residences in the catalogue” column counts the non-homestay accommodation (residences and apartments) priced by the engine, whose rates appear in each centre’s quote.
See accommodation prices
| Centre | Homestay, per week (4 weeks) | Residences in the catalogue |
|---|---|---|
| Salamanca | 295 EUR | 2 |
| Tenerife | 375 EUR | 1 |
The two centres in detail
Don Quijote — Salamanca
Spain · 17 courses in the catalogue
Calle Placentinos, 2, in a renovated 16th-century monastery, in the heart of the university district: the University, the Plaza Mayor and the cathedral are 5-10 minutes’ walk away. 19 classrooms arranged around a patio, library and multimedia area, cafeteria, garden, free Wi-Fi. Classes of 9 students on average, 10 at most.
Don Quijote — Tenerife
Spain · 17 courses in the catalogue
Avenida de Colón 14, in the heart of Puerto de la Cruz, very close to the black sand beach of Martiánez. Traditional Canarian-style building, central patio, 8 bright classrooms, library and multimedia area, free Wi-Fi. Classes of 7 students on average, 8 at most.
Sources: Don Quijote’s official website (donquijote.org), consulted on 7 November 2026; prices: Synergee engine.